National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1333, the NO BAN Act.

This legislation prohibits discrimination based on religion and limits the executive branch's ability to issue future travel bans.

I stand here today during Arab American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the diversity of our country and remind ourselves that our country is stronger for it.

My district is home to the largest Arab-American population in the United States. Arab Americans are an integral part of Michigan's identity and have made enormous contributions to our society. Many of my constituents fled war and violence to seek a safer life;--have done it legally--and many of their families still experience this suffering every day.

The former President's Muslim ban kept these families separated. It inspired fear. It perpetuated hate. And as the Speaker so eloquently stated, national security experts have made it clear that it has made us less safe, not more safe.

I believe that every one of us in this Chamber loves our country, and that it is a priority for all of us to keep this Nation safe.

I would argue that the actions by the previous administration did not. The President called for a total ban on all Muslims entering this country. We must work together against terrorism, both foreign and domestic. We need to worry about what we witnessed in our own Chamber on January 6.

This bill will not allow people to be targeted because of their religion again. We must work together to restore the faith and trust of the international communities targeted by the previous administration.

Madam Speaker, I urge people to support this legislation.

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